2-Cyanoguanidine

2-Cyanoguanidine is produced by treating cyanamide with base. It is produced in soil by decomposition of cyanamide. A variety of useful compounds are produced from 2-cyanoguanidine, guanidines and melamine. For example, acetoguanamine and benzoguanamine are prepared by condensation of cyanoguanidine with the nitrile: : Cyanoguanidine is also used as a nitrification inhibitor in stabilized nitrogen fertilizers. It was patented for use in the synthesis of methylphenobarbital. ==Chemistry==

The structure has been confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The molecule is planar with two primary amine groups attached to an imino nitrile. According to Raman spectroscopy measurements, solutions also contain a tautomer, . : 2-cyanoguanidine is isomeric to ammonium dicyanamide, from which it may be prepared by heating in a closed vessel. ==References==